Congratulations!

Do you want to start Intercultural Communication and other topics
without waiting? Check our remove advertising plans and support our mission to enable
anyone, anywhere, and at any time, to educate themselves via standards-based interactive
multimedia e-learning for free.

Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language - Intercultural Communication

Culture is so different in each country that it is important to read, at least, a little about the cultures we are in touch with. All of us as instructors should be sensitive to the rest of the world student we come in touch with.

New Zealand
0 0
29 September 2017

Tiresa S.

This was a great topic to review, as I was able to draw from my own experience as kid not knowing how to speak English to now teaching it. It's all about respecting each others unique cultural diversities, because no one person is the same.

Trinidad and Tobago
1 0
09 April 2017

Luiseh A.

Teaching involves specific details. Intercultural communication can interfere with learning. It's very useful information for me to keep in mind.

United States of America
0 0
09 April 2017

AKILAH W.

All was extradinary, it help me realize to conjective aspects of visual reading

United States of America
0 0
09 April 2017

AKILAH W.

All reading from mango language is a language I want to learn in English for speaking better in Haiti and the world.

Colombia
1 0
09 April 2017

Monica Yohana H.

I completely agree with all of you about the gestures , sharing information about the cultures, it is very important.

Philippines
0 0
09 April 2017

Mark H.

how important is it to push the culture of and English speaking country onto a learner? most Asian countries find it hard to debate as it is not in their culture, yet in England it can be part of every day life( for example: in Japan debate mean argumentative speech), how can be over come this as an instructor?

Philippines
0 0
09 April 2017

Mark H.

What is the best way to introduce a taboo subject to a leaner?

Philippines
0 0
09 April 2017

Mark H.

Should we introduce culture from lesson one or leave it a couple of days, as so to let the leaner to become comfortable in the new environment?

Philippines
0 0
09 April 2017

Merlindo C.

I would to thanks the ALISON because i gain more knowledge even though this is an online courses but still i gain knowledge thank you very much
God Bless all !!!!

Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language - Intercultural Communication

Intercultural Communication
Intercultural communication takes place between people from different cultures. Culture is a pattern of values, behaviors, belief systems, verbal and non-verbal communication shared by a group of people. Culture informs us how to communicate, what things to value, what to strive for, and what to do or not to do.

For instance, when people go to work they know what is going to happen. They have learned how to work with their colleagues.

We also know the expected behavior in restaurants or other public settings. These are rituals that have been set up by society, and most people follow them.

Culture
Note that culture comes up in the ESL classroom all the time. All new instructors need to realize that even the most basic communication follows cultural norms and rules.

For example, learners may bring expectations about the levels of formality in the way the instructor addresses them based on their age, gender, background, socio-economic status, personality, race, ethnicity, previous education or status from their home community.

Cultural Differences
Some of the cultural differences in the communicating with ESL learners include:

Eye-contact: Many adults believe it is impolite to look directly in someone’s eyes. Therefore, they may look down or avoid eye contact out of respect.

Use of gestures that are unfamiliar: An adult may use a gesture to show respect that a teacher could misinterpret or misunderstand.

Interaction norms: Norms about who talks to whom, or who may be avoiding each other could be based on cultural stances or gender roles. For instance, women may not look at men.

How interaction takes place: For example, one learner could sit silently during class, and another might be interrupting the teacher all the time.

Personal space and comfort levels: Some learners may come to class and see it as their primary source of community building while other learners may be more interested in learning, and not as much in community building.

When people talk to each other, they want to accomplish a specific goal. A person\'s culture gives them a frame of reference, informs their identity, behaviors, and value systems. In other words, this person looks at things through a particular lens.

Now, let’s assume that this person will be talking with another person, who comes from a different culture and this person looks at the world and events through a different lens.

When people talk to each other their goal is to interpret the meaning as accurately as possible. However, when people come from different cultures, they typically look at the world from their own frame of reference.

Encouraging Learner Expression
Instructors should allow learners to talk about their own experiences.

If learners cannot easily express something because of their low English proficiency, instructors should consider using images and pictures.

They can ask learners to choose images that reflect what they want to say. Then, help them with the language.

Also, ESL instructors can ask learners to make comparisons of different aspects of their own culture and the new culture they currently live in. For instance, instructors may ask learners about such cultural aspects as going to the bank, doing grocery shopping, or scheduling an appointment.

This can be done by asking learners to describe what grocery shopping looks like in their country. Then, ask them to draw a picture of grocery shopping. Then, provide vocabulary words pertinent to the topic. Instructors can also help learners create a story using these words and images together.

Cultural Components of Communication
Generally, when people think of intercultural communication, they think of oral communication, but, in some senses, all communication, whether spoken or written, has cultural components to it.

People come to English-speaking countries from hundreds of different places every year.

Each person comes with their own ideas and expectations of what their experience will be like.

Research shows that most people react to coming to a new place and culture similarly. Newcomers are excited, scared, and very interested in everything.

However, as time goes on, they often get lonely for home. There is too much unfamiliarity for them to be comfortable. If newcomers finally adjust, they begin to understand the expectations and match them to the reality.

However, immigrants are often sad before they begin to feel satisfied that they made the right decision to come to the new country.

Some people do not feel that this adjustment is worth its eventual rewards, and they decide to go to another place or even back to their country.

While most immigrants experience homesickness to some degree, the duration depends on how well people adjust in their new environment. Culture and language are closely related. Learning a new language involves learning about new ways of thinking, feeling, and expressing.

Most people who come from the same culture know what qualifies as rudeness, they know the difference between a “white lie”, and a “bold-faced lie”, and where the invisible line between public and private space is. But that may not necessarily be the case with people from other cultures.

Understanding Other Cultures
ESL learners may exhibit confusing physical gestures. However, it is important to understand that their instructors’ gestures may confuse them too.

To help learners adjust to their new culture, ESL instructors may want to become acquainted with learners’ cultures to better understand their perspectives and expectations both inside and outside the classroom.

Understanding traditional literacy practices, gender roles, teacher and learner roles, and customs can make learners feel better about the new culture.

Cultural Taboos
ESL instructors should remember that learners may not be willing to participate in activities that involve discussion of taboo subjects.

Such subjects include the revelation of personal information, or reliving painful experiences.